Page 36 of The Jock
“And here I had visions of you using my car for a hookup. You didn’t screw anyone in the back seat did you?”
“We fucked outside your car. Don’t worry, I washed the ass prints off the hood.”
Colby shot a glare at his little brother. “Sometimes I fucking hate you.”
Taylor tipped his head back and laughed. “You do not.”
“There better not be ass prints on my hood, you little fiend.”
“You’re so gullible.”
“Remind me never to loan you my car again. And here I was a good brother and took in those orphan plants you abandoned at my place. Never again, Taylor.”
Taylor shrugged. “Worth it.”
His smile died when Colby turned the corner and the diner came into view. He sucked in a deep breath and wiped his hands down his thighs. “This is it.”
“It’ll be fine.”
“Duh, I know that.” Taylor was clearly doing his best to be brave and it made Colby proud of his younger sibling to watch him go for it. To decide he wanted something and then take it. It was admirable. His little brother was all grown up now. Of course, being twenty-two, Taylor had been an adult for a while, but this was maybe the first time Colby understood that his brother might want him to be there, but he didn’t need him to be there. He could do this on his own, but he didn’t have to. And Colby was honored that he was the one who got to be there for him.
“I’m proud of you, kid,” Colby said as he pulled into a parking space and killed the engine.
Taylor looked at him and scrunched his nose. “Oh, please don’t get all weird and sentimental on me. If you make my mascara run, I will gut you.” Taylor popped the car door open and was out before Colby could blink.
Taylor waited for Colby by the back door, keys in hand. “You first.”
Colby plucked the keys from Taylor and unlocked the door, then pulled it open. “Get in here, Taylor. They won’t bite.”
Taylor followed Colby inside, using him like a shield. “If you need a minute, I’ll go distract Dad and you can get to work.”
“I’d rather just…” Taylor made a random gesture with his hands. It was less of a gesture, though, and more of a flail. Like he was drowning in his emotions and his nerves and was looking for a lifeline.
“Gotcha.” Colby strode over to the door that separated the kitchen from the front of the diner and poked his head through. He spotted his dad at the cash register, probably putting the floatin it the way he did every morning. “Hey, Dad, Taylor needs you in the kitchen.”
His dad turned and shot Colby a smile. “I didn’t know you were stopping in this morning.”
“It was a spur of the moment thing.”
His dad closed the cash register and strode over to Colby. “Good to see you, kid.” He clapped a hand on Colby’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. “How are things at the gym?”
“Sweaty.”
“Better you than me.”
They entered the kitchen and, of course, Taylor had pulled a vanishing act.
“Taylor, get your ass out here.” Colby folded his arms over his chest. Their dad shot Colby a confused look, until the walk-in fridge opened and Taylor stepped out.
“You needed something?”
Colby could have fallen over laughing if he’d let himself. Instead, he schooled his expression and leaned over toward their dad. “Taylor likes to wear makeup and pretty clothes and stuff.”
“Oh. Well, you look good, Taylor. Pink is a good color on you.”
Taylor blinked. “Is that it?”
Colby furrowed his brow. He watched his dad lift his hand and scratch the back of his neck. “You know I support you boys in whatever you do, right? But maybe remember that you still can’t wear scented things on shift, and stay away from those long nails people are so fond of now, at least at work.”
